Crime Free Multi-Housing - Voluntary Program

Voluntary Program
The Department's Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program is a Voluntary crime-prevention program targeted toward larger apartment complexes and owners of multiple housing units within the City of Hagerstown. This program serves as an enhancement to the City's basic Crime-Free Housing program mandated as of 2014. For more information on the mandatory program visit our Crime-Free Housing & Excessive Use of City Services page by clicking here.

To learn more about the successful Crime-Free Multi-Housing (Voluntary) Program we encourage you review the below information or contact the program administrator Officer Gerry Kendle at gkendle@hagerstownpd.org or direct at 301-797-6408. To register for our Next Crime-Free Multi-Housing Training Class click here.

Background
The Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is a state-of-the-art crime prevention program designed to reduce crime, drugs, and gangs on apartment properties. This program was successfully developed at the Mesa Arizona Police Department in 1992. The International Crime Free Multi-Housing Program has spread to nearly 2,000 cities in 44 U.S. states, 5 Canadian Provinces, Mexico, England, Finland, Japan, Russia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Puerto Rico. Australia has expressed interest in adopting the program.

The program consists of three phases that must be completed under the supervision of the local police department. Property managers can become individually certified after completing training in each phase and the property becomes certified upon successful completion of all three phases.

The anticipated benefits are reduced police calls for service, a more stable resident base, and reduced exposure to civil liability.

Training Coordinators
The program begins with the training of law enforcement agency coordinators who will administer the program in their jurisdiction. Each Crime Free Multi-Housing Coordinator receives 24 hours of intensive training and becomes certified as an instructor of the program. The Crime Free Program Coordinators return to their cities and begin the provided training and certify apartment properties in their community. Fully certified properties have reported reductions in police calls for service up to 70% over previous years. The heart and soul of the program is in the correct implementation and use of the Crime Free Lease Addendum.

Crime Free Multi-Housing Program Benefits

A stable, more satisfied tenant base

Increased demand for rental units with a reputation for active management

Lower maintenance and repair costs, increased property values

Improved personal safety for tenants, landlords, and manager

Costs of Drug Activity In Rental Property
When drug criminals and other destructive tenants operate out of rental properties, neighborhoods suffer and landlords pay a high price. That price may include:

Annual crime prevention social taught by property management and police

Community awareness and continuous participation is encouraged

Full certification (gold certificate) permits the right to post the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program sign and advertise membership in the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program in the print media using the official logo. This certificate expires every year unless renewed following compliance with Phases I & II.